employment08

Accepting a New Job: “When Can You Start?”

Rick Gostovich — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 02:30:42 +0000

Accepting a new job is a terrific feeling. But if you have been looking for a while, or if you have gotten the offer for a dream job, you may be skittish about answering the impending question: “when can you start?” You may want to tell the company that you can start tomorrow, and then are stuck not giving your current employer any notice. This is not a good business practice and can cause problems later onEmployers will understand if their newly hired candidate needs two weeks to give their current employer proper notice. In fact, many employers will see this as a sign of respect on the part of the new hire. They will know you take the company’s policies into consideration with your decisions, and this will make you even more attractive as an employee.

Accepting a New Job: Relocation

Rick Gostovich — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 02:27:17 +0000

So you have received a letter offering you a new position. Congratulations! There’s only one problem: you and your family have to relocate to another state. This is usually something that is made clear before the interview, but some companies decide at the last minute that you would be a good match with another branch of the company. Now what do you do?

Examine the offer carefully. Is the company offering relocation assistance? How soon do you need to be in the new office? If the company insists that you move within two weeks but doesn’t offer to fly you out to find a new home and isn’t willing to reimburse you for at least some of your moving expenses, you may want to reconsider the position. The cost and hassle of relocating is significant, especially for families. If you really want the job, go back to the company and try to renegotiate for relocation assistance and a house-hunting trip.

Finding a Job: Reviewing Job Descriptions

Rick Gostovich — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 08:00:50 +0000

After you have registered with a job search engine, you will be ready to start looking over the posted job descriptions. A few good things to remember are not to underestimate your abilities, but not to overestimate them, either. Be aware of what you are qualified to do and what you have little or no experience doing. Don’t apply for a nursing job when you do not have a nursing degree: it is a waste of your time and the interviewer’s time. But don’t hesitate to apply for jobs in your field that will be a challenge; challenges can keep you from becoming bored at work and can further your career.Make sure you meet all of the criteria for the job; if the position requires 4 years of experience, you can apply if you only have 3 years of experience, but don’t bother if you only have 1 year of experience.

Finding a Job: A Warning about Job Search Engines

Rick Gostovich — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 07:57:08 +0000

While jobs can rarely be found without using the internet and its multitude of job search engines, there is a sense of awareness that job applicants have to have in order to successfully use these websites. Protecting yourself from harassment and identity theft is important when you have personal information posted on a public website. Remember that when you allow anyone to see your resume that ANYONE can see it. Your phone number is often on your résumé; if you don’t want it to be made public, you should consider making your résumé private and only sending it to out, not allowing just any employer to see it. Also, set up a new email address to put on your résumé. Often junk email is part of the internet job search process, so prevent your regular email from getting full by having all job search emails go to a special address.

Finding a Job: Job Search Engines

Rick Gostovich — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 08:22:02 +0000

In the lightning fast World Wide Web, today’s job applicant has to do more than just look in the local newspaper for job openings. Most employers don’t list in newspapers anymore, and instead have switched to advertising their job postings online. So the job applicant’s search has become an internet search. Job search engines like Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com are great because they allow you to find exactly what job you are looking for. Simply enter your application information and upload your resume. You can choose to have your resume available for public view or you can send it only to companies with openings that interest you. The sites also have detailed descriptions of the open positions so you can determine whether or not you will fit the offered job. Savvy searchers must be wary of unnamed companies, and companies that are national and do not have local branches. These often are “work from home” scams, or will require you to pay money to sell a product.

Finding a Job: Researching Your Job Market

Rick Gostovich — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 04:59:21 +0000

The cognizant job-searcher will know that he or she needs to do a few things before looking for a job can even begin. Start by researching your job market. How many positions like the one you want are available in your area? How many people with your qualifications are looking for the same job? These numbers can help you figure out what your odds are of even finding a job in your field and whether you will be considered or will drown in a sea of applicants. If there are a lot of applicants, make sure you stand out: update your résumé; wear a bright shirt under that black suit; find something in common with your interviewer and comment on it.

If there are few positions in your chosen field in your area, check into other fields. Also, never quit your current position before you have verified employment with another company. Just because you assume you got the job doesn’t mean you have been accepted; wait until you get the offer letter.

Interview Tips: New Careers

Rick Gostovich — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 04:52:58 +0000

When you are getting ready to switch to a new career, you will probably have to handle difficult questions that may come up in your interviews. Many interviewers will ask about your previous work experience, what your past career was, and why you have decided to turn your attentions to your newly chosen field. While these questions may seem difficult, it is fairly easy to make these inquiries work for you.

Depending on your situation, you may be able to tell your interviewer the truth: “I have been pursuing a degree in this field and have finally achieved it” is a perfectly acceptable answer for someone who worked while taking college classes. But avoid going into personal details like, “My ex-husband works at my old job and I had to get away from him.” Instead say, “I have been looking for an opportunity to pursue this field and changes in my family life now allow me to seek employment in this field.”

Interview Tips: New Graduates

Rick Gostovich — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 17:58:39 +0000

Congratulations! You have finished your college degree and are ready to pursue your chosen career. Now all you have to do is get a job interview in your field and get hired, right? Well, that may sound easy, but it may be harder than you think.

You need to know what to focus on in the interview to draw the interviewer away from your lack of experience in the field. Most college grads have little if any experience in their field; they have the degree, but no actual work experience. Focus on your organizational skills and your ability to finish several things at once (i.e. college exams); focus on any leadership and teamwork skills you may have learned in extra-curricular activities (i.e. fraternal organizations or athletics). Finally, discuss your desire to find a job where you can learn and grow with the company; this will ensure that the interviewer knows you plan to stay with the company after they have trained you.

Interview Tips: “Do you have any questions?”

Rick Gostovich — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 13:08:32 +0000

At the end of most interviews, the interviewer will often ask the interviewee if he or she has any questions to ask about the position or about the company. Many people become afraid to ask a question, fearing that they will either not like the answer or that the interviewer will not like the question.

The thing to remember is that most interviewers like it when interviewees ask questions. This shows them that the interviewee was listening and is genuinely interested in the position. Feel free to ask the hard questions about health insurance benefits like when they begin for a new-hire; ask about the salary; ask about vacation time and sick leave. All of these things should be considered as part of the job package you are being offered. Also, ask about the company and its history. This will prove to the interviewer that you are interested in the company and not just the job.

Interview Tips: Confidence

Rick Gostovich — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 22:51:25 +0000

Everyone knows that confidence is the key to successful interviews, but that is can easily leave you when you need it. This is because job interviews are notoriously self-effacing. When you walk into a room full of people who are wondering whether or not you can do a job, you start to second guess your abilities, and that shows in your body language and your facial expressions.

The keys to appearing confident when you really don’t feel confident are posture and eye contact. Stand up straight; walk confidently as if you were walking into a room full of your friends. Remember that these people are only looking for the right candidate and are not trying to be harsh; they are just doing their jobs. Now, shake hands with everyone and make eye contact when you do so. When you are asked a question, look the person in the eye when you answer. Finally, smile; friendliness goes a long way in any job.